“Miss Villeverde was lazy and would do anything to avoid work. She would not conform to the rules of the camp. She came in late and drunk on several occasions.’
“Was there anything else she did that upset you?’
Yes she waited until I was having a shower in the camp and poured cow manure all over me.” She called me pig snout, and said if I told her what to do she would… am I allowed to use the word sir.
“Yes Mrs Hudspeth, please carry on.’
“She, she said and I quote “if you talk to me like that again you fat cow; I will knock you on your fat arse”
Had you given her any reason to dislike you at all?
“No I had not?
“No further questions.’
Andrew Cherry approached and asked “Why did the girls call you Mrs Hudspeth? You weren’t very well liked by most of the Land Army girls were you?’
“I don’t know about that she said nervously.’
“Is it not true then that you worked these girls from morning until night without a break or a drink in the height of summer?’
“We were under orders to get the fields cleared ready for planting and the same for harvesting.’
“You say we but you never actually worked did you Mrs Hudspeth?’ “Is it true that you openly drank from a water bottle and when asked for a drink by several of the girls you refused?’
“I, I don’t recall.’
“Well I have several witness statements here who can recall and Miss Villeverde was one of them.’
“Objection the witness is not on trial here.’
“Your honour I am just trying to establish the credibility of this witness.’
“Please step down Mrs Hudspeth and think yourself lucky that no charges are being laid at your door. My daughter was a Land Army girl and I’m glad she was not under your jurisdiction; get out of my court.’
There was laughter in the courtroom as Mrs Hudspeth left.
“Do you have anyone else that you would like to bring as a witness here but I warn you that any attempt to discredit Miss Villeverde will be dealt with?
“I have no further witnesses M’lord.
Mr Cherry?
“Yes, I have some witnesses your honour.’
“I call Gerald McGill landlord of the Dunn Cow Public house.’
Mr McGill walked down to the witness box.
